Are you searching for the best investment management in Washington, DC to help grow and protect your wealth? Whether you need to roll over an old 401(k), optimize your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), or put your extra income to work in a tax-efficient way, choosing the right financial partner is crucial.
Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are home to many highly regarded wealth management firms, each with different investment philosophies, fee structures, and minimum requirements. To simplify your search, we’ve identified what we believe are the top 6 investment management firms in Washington, DC for 2026.
How did we select the 6 best Investment Management firms in Washington, D.C.?
We evaluated firms based on qualities that matter most to professionals seeking trusted wealth management in the nation’s capital:
- They are a fiduciary. This is non-negotiable. A fiduciary acts in your best interest and is required to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. In contrast, non-fiduciary advisors are not required to recommend what’s best, as long as it’s “suitable.” Investment advisors registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator are fiduciaries.
- Firm’s Principal has at least 10 years in the investment profession. When it comes to investment management, you’ll benefit substantially from working with an investment advisor who has experienced both stock market booms and busts and has learned how to position investment portfolios accordingly.
- Has a CFA® designation. The Chartered Financial Analyst® designation is one of the highest distinctions in the investment management profession. A CFA professional will have a strong understanding of various asset classes and would be better suited to deliver top-notch asset management services.
We gave bonus points to investment management firms that:
- Have a diverse team. Forward-looking wealth management firms will have a diverse team.
- Have fees of 1% or less. The average investment management fees for account sizes below $1,000,000 are just above 1% (specifically, 1.05% to 1.18%). If you can get top-notch investment management service for the average price, why not.
What are the 6 best Investment Management firms in Washington, DC?
Here are the best investment management firms in DC, arranged in no particular order. Note that this is not an exhaustive list of local investment management firms and it reflects my personal opinion per our criteria above.
1. District Capital Management – Washington, DC
At District Capital Management, we specialize in helping high-earning professionals in their 30s and 40s grow their wealth through holistic financial planning and evidence-based investing.
- Minimum Account Size: No minimum (with a financial planning relationship)
- Investment Strategy: Globally diversified low-cost ETFs and mutual funds
- Fee Structure: 1% down to 0.35%.
Our investment approach avoids stock picking and market timing. Instead, we build globally diversified portfolios aligned with your personal goals and risk tolerance. We believe in making expert investment management accessible to those actively building wealth, not just those who already have a high net worth.
2. Hemington Wealth Management – Falls Church, VA
Hemington Wealth Management focuses on long-term investing and broad diversification.
- Minimum Account Size: $1 million
- Fee Structure: 1.25% down to 0.25% for larger accounts
- Investment Approach: Strategic asset allocation without market timing
- Assets Under Management: $983 million (as of 2024*)
Hemington offers personalized investment portfolios designed around each client’s life goals.
3. Altius Financial Advisors – Bethesda, MD
Altius offers both financial planning and investment management services.
- Minimum Account Size: $500,000
- Fee Structure: 1% down to 0.4%
- Investment Strategy: Core passive ETFs with a satellite of active funds
- Assets Under Management: $112 million (as of 2024*)
Their process emphasizes building a plan first before managing investments, creating alignment between values and wealth.
4. Garnet Group – Bethesda, MD
Garnet is known for its academic approach to portfolio construction.
- Minimum Account Size: ~$1.2 million (due to $12,000 min annual fee)
- Fee Structure: 1% of assets
- Investment Philosophy: Broad diversification with a fee-transparent model
- Assets Under Management: $157 million (as of 2024*)
They cater primarily to high-net-worth individuals seeking customized portfolio management.
5. Farr, Miller & Washington – Washington, DC
FMW builds portfolios using individual securities and model ETF portfolios.
- Minimum Account Size: $500,000 (to stay near 1% fee threshold)
- Fee Structure: 1% to 0.75%, with a $5,000 min annual fee
- Investment Strategy: Active management with a “Wealth Builder” ETF model
- Assets Under Management: $2.1 billion (as of 2024*)
They’re known for their deep-dive research process and hands-on approach.
6. Glassman Wealth Services – Vienna, VA
Although not in DC proper, Glassman Wealth Services deserves mention.
- Minimum Account Size: $2 million
- Fee Structure: 1.25% down to 0.25%, $16,000 min fee
- Investment Strategy: Combination of fundamental and technical analysis
- Assets Under Management: $1.8 billion (as of 2024*)
How is District Capital different from other Investment Management firms in Washington, DC?
District Capital is an investment management firm headquartered in Washington, DC. We are similar to the 5 top-notch firms above in that we are a fiduciary – we act in our client’s best interest and do not get commissions. Two of our principals have CFA designations and the co-founder has been in the investment management profession since 2004.
We stand out from other investment management firms in DC in the following ways:
- We cater to DC professionals in their 30s and 40s. While most investment management firms target retirees and near-retirees, we believe we can make a bigger impact by working with professionals while they are in their wealth-building phase.
- We do not have account minimums. This is in contrast to most wealth management firms in DC, who require at least $1 million or $2 million in assets. We believe this steep requirement shuts out most 30s and 40s professionals who are still building their wealth. We created District Capital to fill an unmet need – to serve and provide young/mid-career professionals with top-notch financial planning and investment management services.
- We are well-versed in socially responsible funds. More Millennials and Gen X professionals want to align their values with their money. There is a strong desire to help address climate change and promote socially responsible practices in companies, and reflect those in their investment portfolios. But you may wonder, will financial returns be sacrificed for “doing good?” Several major studies disprove this myth.
In 2021, the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing released a study showing that in a year of extreme volatility and recession (2020), funds focused on environmental, social, and governance factors, across both stocks and bonds, weathered the year better than non-ESG portfolios. In 2019, Morgan Stanley published a study using data from 2004 to 2018 and showed that there is “no financial trade-off in the returns of sustainable funds compared to traditional funds, and they demonstrate lower downside risk.”
This is something that personally resonates with me, given my previous work and continued passion in social and environmental justice.
How much do Investment Management services in Washington, DC cost?
The average investment management fees for account sizes below $1,000,000 are about 1% of assets under management. District Capital and three of the other investment management firms listed above charge 1% or below, while two start at 1.25%.
If you meet a certain level of assets, the wealth management fee typically includes ongoing comprehensive financial planning advice.
Should You Consider a Robo-Advisor Instead?
Robo-advisors like Betterment and Wealthfront charge as little as 0.25%. However, they typically don’t offer comprehensive financial planning or in-depth guidance from CFA® or CFP® professionals.
While cost-effective, robo-advisors generally:
Do not create customized, tax-efficient strategies
Do not offer estate, insurance, or career-based planning
Cannot provide human judgment during volatile markets (e.g., March 2020)
If you want a holistic wealth management experience in Washington, DC, a fiduciary investment management firm is the better choice.
What other questions should you ask a potential Investment Management firm?
In addition to asking about their designations and experience, ask the following three questions when interviewing prospective wealth management firms in DC:
1. Do you buy individual stocks, or primarily use mutual funds or ETFs?
Buying a select number of stocks that outperform the broad market might seem sensible for an investment advisory firm to do. But picking the right stocks requires an immense amount of work that a wealth management firm is usually not best suited to do (as opposed to a mutual fund with specialized team members). More importantly, year after year, data has shown that stock pickers underperform their benchmarks.
Studies have shown that the biggest differentiating factor in portfolio returns is not stock selection but asset allocation. In 2000 Ibbotson and Kaplan published a study titled “Does Asset Allocation Policy Explain 40, 90 or 100 Percent of Performance?” They found that 40% of the return variation between funds is due to asset allocation, with the balance due to other factors, including asset-class timing, style within asset classes, security selection, and fees.
You’ll want a D.C. investment management firm that knows how to analyze not individual stocks, but the potential future returns of various asset classes. These may include: U.S. large growth stocks, U.S. large value stocks, small and mid-sized U.S. companies, developed markets stocks (stocks in Europe, Japan, Australia), emerging market stocks (companies in China, India, and other emerging markets), U.S. core bonds, U.S. inflation-linked bonds, U.S. municipal bonds, emerging market bonds, high yield bonds, and alternative asset classes.
You can invest in these asset classes using mutual funds or ETFs.
2. Do you use low-cost index funds, or higher-fee actively managed funds?
We are big fans of low-cost index funds, but we also believe there can be a place for actively managed mutual funds.
Why use low-cost index funds? In 2015, the White House Council of Economic Advisers released a report showing that hidden fund fees result in approximately $17 billion in losses annually for working and middle-class families.
In addition, more than three-quarters of active funds that invest in large U.S. companies consistently lag the S&P 500 Index, while charging higher fees!
Why use active funds? Some thought leaders point out that most of these underperforming active funds lag the market because they are really “closet index funds” that charge higher fees. This means these funds own too many stocks in their portfolio, which just mimics the index, while charging higher fees. A well-researched, concentrated portfolio of 40 to 50 stocks may have the potential to beat an index fund.
A top-notch D.C. investment management firm will be able to articulate the pros and cons of buying index funds and active funds.
3. Did you rebalance client portfolios during the significant stock market downturn in March of 2020?
The U.S. stock market fell sharply by 30% in March 2020, as the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the market has made a significant recovery, long before the vaccines were created and distributed widely. A disciplined wealth management firm would have a strict rebalancing criteria, which will usually result in buying stocks during market downturns, regardless of how scary the headlines are.
FAQs
- What are the best investment management firms in Washington, DC in 2026?
Based on our evaluation of factors such as fiduciary status, experience, credentials, and fee structures, we identified six well-known firms in the DC area. These include District Capital Management, Hemington Wealth Management, Altius Financial Advisors, Garnet Group, Farr, Miller & Washington, and Glassman Wealth Services. This list reflects our opinion and is not an endorsement or guarantee of results. - How much do investment management services cost in Washington, DC?
Fees vary widely by firm. Many firms in the DC area charge around 1% of assets under management for accounts under $1 million, with lower fees for larger accounts. Actual costs depend on the firm, your account size, and the services provided. - Do I need $1 million to work with an investment management firm in DC?
Some firms set minimums of $500,000 to $2 million, while others, such as District Capital Management, do not have account minimums if you have a financial planning relationship. Minimums and fee structures are set by each firm and may change over time. - What’s the difference between a fiduciary and a non-fiduciary advisor?
A fiduciary advisor is legally required to act in your best interest. Non-fiduciary advisors are only required to recommend products that are “suitable,” which may not always align with your best interest. Understanding this distinction can help you make an informed choice. - Should I choose a robo-advisor or a local wealth management firm in DC?
Robo-advisors typically provide automated portfolio management at a lower cost, but they may not offer comprehensive financial planning or personalized guidance. A fiduciary wealth management firm may provide a broader range of services, but usually at a higher cost. Which option is better depends on your needs and preferences. - What questions should I ask before hiring an investment management firm?
Consider asking about their fees, investment philosophy, use of index funds vs. active funds, rebalancing approach, and credentials such as CFA® or CFP®. These questions can help you determine whether a firm’s approach aligns with your goals.
Work with District Capital for your Investment Management needs
If you’re in your 30s and 40s, living in the DMV area, and are looking for top-notch investment management services, consider working with District Capital. We can manage and optimize your old 401(k), IRA, or taxable brokerage accounts. We can create a tax-efficient, customized portfolio to help you reach your goals. You will benefit from our experienced investment team, which boasts a robust background in the investment industry.
If any of this resonates with you, schedule a free discovery call with one of our investment advisors at District Capital today!
📍 Based in Washington, DC, we proudly serve professionals across the District, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the author’s opinion as of the date of publication. It should not be construed as personalized investment advice, nor as a recommendation or endorsement of any firm mentioned. The information is based on sources believed to be reliable at the time of writing, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Investment involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers should consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Alvin Carlos, CFP®, CFA is a fee-only financial planner, in Washington, D.C. He has a Master’s degree in International Relations from SAIS-Johns Hopkins. Alvin is the founder of District Capital, a financial planning firm designed to help professionals in their 30s and 40s maximize their money and retire by 55, through holistic financial planning and research-driven investing. Schedule a free discovery call today.
